Evening descended upon Eden like a velvet curtain, studded with the first shimmer of stars. A hush seemed to fall over the kingdom, not of fear or tension, but of breathless anticipation. Tonight, Eden would change forever.
The great announcement had spread like wildfire: the unveiling of the Water Wheel Project and the Light Artifact—Eden's most ambitious undertaking yet, led by none other than Luna, the moon elf guardian, and Truth, the brilliant alchemist of the iron dragon race. Months of labor, magic, and engineering had culminated in this one moment.
King Lito stood at the heart of the city square, flanked by towering spires and the murmuring crowd of thousands. Lanterns floated above, each a tiny globe of hope. The people of Eden—elves, spirits, oni, vampires, and more—had gathered to witness their kingdom's rebirth.
Lito's breath misted in the cool night air as he stepped up to the grand balcony. Behind him stood his council—Luminos in priestly white, Gark in ceremonial armor, Nia glowing in festival red, Yune graceful in forest green, and the two architects of the night: Luna and Truth, standing side by side, radiant in gowns of silver and sapphire.
The bells chimed.
Lito raised his hand. "Citizens of Eden! Tonight, we turn a new page in our history. We rise from ash and darkness into a city of light, of unity, and of hope."
A wave of applause echoed through the plaza.
He turned slightly. "Two heroines led this transformation. Luna, Guardian of the Moon Elves, and Truth, our most gifted alchemist."
The crowd roared. Luna stepped forward, her voice calm and melodic. "We dreamed of a city where no child would fear the night. Where knowledge and nature dance together. Tonight, that dream becomes reality."
Truth blushed as she followed. "T-thank you. I... I only made what Luna imagined possible. With steam, crystal, and a little alchemy, we give you Eden's Light."
Lito nodded, then extended his hand. "Let there be light."
At that moment, Luna raised her staff and Truth uncorked a vial of glimmering silver essence. The city held its breath.
A low hum filled the air. Then, the great water wheel at Eden's central river began to turn—its gears enchanted with lunar runes, its axis engraved with dragonsteel filigree. Water rushed down the aqueducts, glowing with alchemical energy.
One by one, the towers ignited.
Golden veins of light surged through crystalline conduits embedded in every street, every home. Trees shimmered with blue blossoms lit from within. Floating gardens burst into radiant bloom. The entire city glowed—not with fire, but with life.
Children squealed with joy. Elderly citizens wept openly. Couples embraced under the warm, surreal light. Musicians broke into spontaneous song. The air carried a fragrance like rain on silver and the warmth of hearth fires.
Truth stood frozen, eyes wide. "It... it worked."
Luna placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You made it work."
Even Lito, who had witnessed battles and miracles alike, found himself breathless. He looked around—not as a king, but as a boy who once dreamed beneath broken roofs.
He caught sight of Luminos watching from the temple steps, his eyes gleaming. The vampire priest placed a hand over his heart and nodded.
Beside him, Gark wiped his eyes gruffly, grunting, "Must be smoke in the air."
Nia twirled in a circle, her flame-like hair catching the light. "This is better than fireworks!"
Yune knelt to let a child sit on her shoulders for a better view. "Eden belongs to them now. We just kept the fire alive."
The celebration began. Music soared through the glowing streets. Vendors handed out treats. Dancers twirled in synchrony. In the air, enchanted fish swam through bubbles of light. Lanterns carried messages of gratitude, love, and dreams into the sky.
Lito wandered the streets, no longer just a king but a friend, a brother, a guardian.
He paused when he reached the moonlit terrace, where Luna stood alone, gazing at the lake's reflection of the luminous city.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked.
Luna smiled softly. "I always imagined light like this as a child. In Loombert, they called me a monster. But here, my dream is part of something beautiful."
He stood beside her. "Because you are beautiful. In strength. In spirit."
She looked down, hiding her blush. "This... this is our gift. Not just mine. Truth's brilliance made it possible."
Lito nodded. "I'll tell her. Though she's probably hiding behind a pillar somewhere."
Sure enough, a few streets down, Truth had found a quiet corner to admire the lights, her eyes misty.
When Lito approached, she startled. "I-I didn't want to be in the way."
"You made all of this. You are never in the way."
Truth looked up at the stars, her voice trembling. "Back in Loombert, I thought the only light I'd ever see was from my own alchemy flames. No one believed in me. Except you."
Lito knelt beside her. "I still do. Always."
Truth wiped her eyes, then smiled. "Maybe next time... I'll make something even brighter."
Together they returned to the central plaza, where Luminos led a choral hymn of peace, his voice ringing like a lullaby across Eden. Gark joined the dance reluctantly, pulled in by children who cheered at the reluctant warrior's twirls. Nia was already leading a parade of performers, juggling fire and laughter. Yune sat with elders, recounting tales of the first bricks laid for Eden's walls.
The night wore on, but the lights never dimmed.
By dawn, Eden no longer felt like a kingdom. It felt like a miracle.
In the royal hall, Lito lit a final lantern. He placed it at the highest point of the palace—a symbol for the world to see.
A new era had begun.
He looked down at his four fiancées, gathered once more.
Yune, strong and nurturing.
Nia, wild and brilliant.
Truth, soft and brilliant.
Luna, graceful and wise.
They smiled at him.
"We did it," Luna whispered.
And Lito, for the first time in a long time, whispered back,
"Yes. We truly did."
To be continued...